Brian Cooley returns to the Jackrabbit coaching staff in 2012-13 for a sixth season overall, his fourth as an assistant coach after working two seasons on the SDSU bench as a graduate assistant.

"Brian is the perfect addition to our staff," said Nagy. "He gives us continuity, a great basketball mind and recruiting ties to an untapped area for our program. He's the kind of person I want our players to emulate."

Cooley came to South Dakota State after working as an assistant under Jason Ryan at Bellevue East High School in Bellevue, Neb., in 2006-07.

In addition to coaching, Cooley worked at camps and clinics for Snow Valley Basketball School and for Five Star Basketball Camp.

A Papillion, Neb., native and 2002 graduate of Papillion-LaVista High School, Cooley earned all-state honorable mention in his senior year, as he led the Monarchs baseball team to a third-place finish at the Nebraska State Tournament.

Cooley also led the Monarch basketball team to the postseason in 2001 and 2002, earning all-state honorable mention honors in 2002.

Papillion-LaVista High school inducted Cooley into its basketball hall of fame in 2002.

Cooley then took his game to Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln, Neb., where he played four years for the Prairie Wolves.

Cooley's best season with the Wolves came in 2004-05, when averaged 8.9 points per game in 24 games, including 18 starts.

A team captain as a senior in 2005-06, Cooley played in all 27 games, including 19 starts, and did most of his damage on defense, which earned him the Wolves Defensive Player of the Year honors.

More than just a great all-around athlete, Cooley also earned GPAC Scholar Athlete honors and made the dean's list in 2005-06.

Cooley graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in health and physical education.

In addition to his duties as the team's academic and summer camp coordinator, Cooley works with the guards in perimeter development, game preparation as well as in recruiting.